Senate Committee Chairman Assures Passage of Tax Reform Bills Despite Opposition
Seriake Dickson, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change and former governor of Bayelsa State, has expressed confidence that the National Assembly will pass the proposed tax reform bills, despite significant opposition from various sectors of Nigerian society. In an interview on December 2 in Abuja, Dickson compared the upcoming passage to the successful enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), asserting that "the heavens will not fall." The four tax reform bills were transmitted to the National Assembly by President Tinubu on October 3, 2024. The bills were subsequently read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajuddeen Abbas during separate plenary sessions. While the Senate has already passed the bills for a second reading, the House of Representatives has yet to take action. Despite pushback from governors, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and some federal lawmakers, Dickson remains optimistic. He stated, “The PIA was passed. We wanted 10%, which was what Yar’adua proposed. They (federal lawmakers) reduced it to 3%. Heaven did not fall. This tax reform bill will pass and heavens will not fall.” He emphasized the importance of the legislative process, noting that public hearings will be conducted to allow citizens to voice their opinions. Dickson highlighted the need for a fair tax distribution system, pointing out that taxes from Bayelsa State currently go to Lagos State. He argued that taxes should be collected and allocated based on the consumption of goods and services within each state. “This is an opportunity to review the tax laws and correct the anomalies,” he said. Dickson acknowledged concerns from states fearing a reduced share under the new tax formula but encouraged them to present their cases with proper statistics.
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